KPK Rejects Detention Suspension Request for Kesthuri Chairman
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has rejected a request for a detention suspension filed by Asrul Azis Taba, Chairman of the Kesthuri Association and Commissioner of PT Raudah Eksati Utama. He is a suspect in an alleged corruption case concerning additional hajj quotas for 2023-2024. KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the healthcare facilities at the KPK State Detention Centre already provide everything the suspect requires. “That is correct, considering the healthcare facilities needed by the suspect while undergoing detention at the KPK Detention Centre are already well and adequately met,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in a written message on Monday (6/7). Asrul has just lost a legal battle against the KPK. A single judge at the South Jakarta District Court, I Ketut Darpawan, rejected the pre-trial motion filed by the individual. According to the judge, the KPK’s designation of Asrul as a suspect was lawful. “Adjudged: one, to reject the Petitioner’s pre-trial motion,” the judge stated while reading the verdict at the South Jakarta District Court on Monday (6/7). The KPK is currently processing four suspects in the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas for 2023-2024. They are former Minister of Religious Affairs for the 2019-2024 period, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas; Yaqut’s Special Staff member, Ishfah Abidal Azis, also known as Gus Alex; Asrul Azis Taba; and Maktour Operations Director, Ismail Adham. In handling the hajj quota case, the KPK is applying Article 2 paragraph (1) and/or Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code, or as referred to in Article 603 or Article 604 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 20 letter (c) of the Criminal Code Law. Based on an audit by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), the KPK stated that the alleged corruption case involving additional hajj quotas for 2023-2024 caused state financial losses amounting to IDR 622 billion.